0°C | Tuesday April 29, 2025 
10 April 2025
North Sydney Council will finalise two new five-year venue hire agreements with the North Sydney Bears and Northern Suburbs Rugby Union for use of North Sydney Oval and Bon Andrews Oval, following an extensive negotiation process throughout 2024 and early 2025.
According to a council report prepared by leisure and aquatics manager Duncan Rennie and endorsed by open space and infrastructure director Gary Parsons, the new Heads of Agreement will underpin VHAs running from 15 April 2025 through to 31 August 2029. They reflect updated financial arrangements largely consistent with council’s adopted fees and charges, and provide for tailored terms recognising each club’s operational requirements.
Both the Bears and Norths have had longstanding associations with the ground, with over a century of use between them. The agreements are the result of a service review of North Sydney Oval initiated in February 2024, which recommended updated performance, operations and financial frameworks to ensure the ground’s long-term sustainability.
Under the new deal, the Bears will be guaranteed at least nine game days at NSO annually. They will pay for venue hire, cleaning, security (excluding RSA services), lighting, waste disposal and use of the outdoor multimedia screen, in line with council fees. They will also be allowed to hold a junior clinic each year at no charge and may apply to host a “Bears Festival” event under a dry hire model, subject to council approval.
Additional provisions allow for limited “Fans on the Field” access during main games, and the Bears will receive storage space at Bon Andrews Pavilion and access to 12 parking spaces on game days. A clause also permits the club to terminate the agreement early in the event it is promoted to the NRL, provided 90 days’ notice is given before the following season.
The Northern Suburbs Rugby Union club will operate under similar terms, including payment responsibilities, storage access and 12 game-day parking spaces. They will also receive office space at 283A Miller Street at no additional cost, though this remains revocable with three months’ notice. Norths will be allowed to retain use of the Mollie Dive function room post-game subject to agreement with oval management, and may apply for limited sideline spectator access during nominated matches.
Both clubs are required to hold public liability insurance of at least $20 million and must comply with existing NSO operating procedures.
Council is expected to authorise the CEO to complete negotiations and enter into the agreements during its 14 April 2025 meeting. The agreements are intended to give certainty to the clubs while allowing council to better manage one of its most prominent community sporting assets.